Receive fraternal greetings on behalf of the International Indian Treaty Council, Guatemala section, and from all conference's host organizations. We wish you great success in your multiple activities in Defense of Human Rights and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in the continual effort to build multicultural, multi-lingual, and truly democratic societies and States.

This note is to remind you that the 34th International Conference of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) will take place in the city of Chimaltenango, Guatemala, from June 19 to 22, 2008, at ASECSA, 6 Calle 4-70 Zona 1, Quintas los Aposentos Chimaltenango. We cordially invite you to accompany us and participate in this very important activity.

1. Attached to this reminder is the event agenda. As you will note, the topics proposed are strategic in nature for the work of the indigenous movement, to which the IITC has made contributions in various national and international venues over the past 30 years, as part of its mission, which is to promote and defend the historic rights of Indigenous Peoples.

IITC-Guatemala is looking forward to the most diverse, pluralistic participation of representatives and authorities of Indigenous Peoples from the IITC member countries, as well as from all countries whose people have a keen interest in discussing strategies, plans, programs, visions and goals to continue working towards the challenging objective of ending the racism, discrimination, oppression, marginalization, exploitation, and imposition we, the Indigenous Peoples, are currently facing. Although certain advances have been made in the field of domestic and international law, they are as yet insufficient. Indeed, in practice our Peoples continue to face a difficult situation and are struggling to survive as Indigenous Peoples.

Looking forward to seeing you at this 34th International Conference. As on prior occasions, IITC reminds you that we do not have funding for travel or airfare, or for visa expenses. The Organization will assume the food and lodging expenses during the days of the event. We hope you will make the necessary arrangements to be with us in our beloved Guatemala.

Thank you for your attention to this invitation letter, and we wish you the best success in your work.

Receive fraternal greetings on behalf of the International Indian Treaty Council, Guatemala section, and from all conference's host organizations. This letter includes important information for those coming to Guatemala from other countries.

International flights to Guatemala arrive directly to Guatemala City. The IITC conference will take place in Chimaltenango, located 54 Kms. from Guatemala City, at ASECSA, 6 Calle 4-70 Zona 1, Quintas los Aposentos Chimaltenango.

For the persons whose food and lodging will be covered by IITC, you will be staying each night and will receive your meals at that same location. For those who have funded their own travel and will be using nearby hotels, we are including a list of hotels that cost US$ 25.00 or less per night. Food would be a separate expense.

When calling from the United States, dial 011, followed by the number.

A delegation of brothers and sisters will be waiting outside the airport, with the IITC banner, who will explain your transportation options to Chimaltenango. Please send your flight itinerary to: conferencia2008@treatycouncil.org, francisco@treatycouncil.org and franciscocali@hotmail.com to ensure that someone from our team will be waiting for you when you arrive.

The currency used in Guatemala is the Quetzal, whose exchange rate is currently Q.7.40 to the dollar. The exchange rate may vary.

The climate is temperate, but temperatures may vary since this is the rainy season. Temperatures are expected to range between 12 and 20 degrees Centigrade (approximately 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit).

For our brothers and sisters arriving from South America, visas are required for most countries to enter Guatemala. Visas are not required for the countries of the North.

On their arrival day, our international guests will receive more information on security issues for tourists and visitors. Since this is a country where there is great economic poverty, we recommend that you not go out into the streets with expensive articles such as cameras and laptops, and that you go out in groups, accompanied by a Guatemalan guide, if possible.

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